Compensation for parameter variations in a feedback circuit

ABSTRACT

Techniques to compensate for parameter variations in a feedback circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, a regulator circuit includes an energy source coupled to output a generated current in response to a control current. A feedback resistor is coupled to an output of the regulator circuit. The feedback resistor is coupled to conduct a feedback current responsive to the output of the regulator circuit. A current amplifier is coupled to the feedback resistor to generate the control current in response to the feedback current. A compensation network is coupled to the current amplifier to adjust the control current in response to an extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit. The compensation network includes a transistor and first, second and third resistors. The first resistor is coupled between the feedback resistor and a collector of the transistor. The second resistor coupled between the collector and the base of the transistor. The third resistor coupled between the base and an emitter of the transistor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electronic circuits, and more specifically, the invention relates to electronic circuits that regulate a voltage in a closed loop feedback system.

2. Background Information

The principal of a closed loop feedback system is to reduce the difference between a measured value and a desired value of an output by controlling a source of energy that produces the output. The output is sensed to obtain a measurement. The measurement is usually proportional to the value of the sensed output. The measurement is compared to a reference. The reference is usually considered the input to the system. The difference between the measurement and the reference produces a feedback signal that reduces the difference between the measured value and the desired value of the output.

In electronic systems, the output, measurement, reference, and feedback signal may be voltage or current. Operations associated with voltage in an electronic system are sometimes associated equivalently with current instead of voltage. Practical considerations may influence whether voltage or current is preferable for a given operation. The intrinsic parameters of electronic components are those that define the fundamental properties and behavior of a component. Examples of intrinsic parameters are the resistance of a resistor, the Zener voltage of a Zener diode, and the forward voltage of a rectifier at a given forward current. Extrinsic parameters typically influence the intrinsic parameters of electronic components. Extrinsic parameters are generally environmental conditions such as for example temperature that are not intended as inputs to the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention detailed illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying Figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a voltage regulator with compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a voltage regulator with compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration with increased detail of a current amplifier included in one embodiment of a voltage regulator with compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a compensation network that compensates for variations in temperature in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration with increased detail of a current amplifier included in another embodiment of a voltage regulator with compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a voltage regulator with temperature compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a switched mode power supply with temperature compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of compensation for variations of parameters in an electronic feedback system are disclosed. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention. Well-known methods related to the implementation have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Embodiments of designs of feedback control systems that make the output insensitive to changes in extrinsic parameters are disclosed in this disclosure. For the purposes of this disclosure, extrinsic parameters of the system are all parameters outside the system that are not specified as inputs or outputs of the system. Extrinsic parameters are usually environmental parameters with limits specified for the design. Feedback control systems according to embodiments of the present invention satisfy design requirements that are specified to perform within a range of extrinsic parameters. Some examples of extrinsic parameters are ambient temperature, ionizing radiation, and aging in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a voltage regulator with compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, the voltage regulator illustrated in FIG. 1 represents components of a regulated power supply. As shown in the depicted embodiment, an energy source 103 is coupled to output a generated current I_(G) in response to a control current I_(C). In one embodiment, energy source 103 is for example a controlled current source. An output voltage V_(O) is produced at an output 100 of the voltage regulator with respect to ground reference 106. The voltage regulator circuit of FIG. 1 can represent any voltage regulator without loss of generality for the purposes of this disclosure. In other embodiments, energy source 103 may represent other types of sources of continuous or switched energy, including but not limited to analog linear control and digital on/off control in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the voltage V_(O) at the output 100 remains substantially unchanged when a load impedance Z_(L) 102 coupled to output 100 changes over a range of values. The difference in voltage between a voltage V_(O) at output 100 and a reference voltage V_(REF) from voltage source 105 is a feedback voltage V_(F) that appears across a feedback resistor R_(F) 101 to produce a feedback current I_(F) which is conducted by the feedback resistor R_(F) 101 in response to the voltage V_(O) at the output 100.

In one embodiment, a current amplifier 126 is coupled to the feedback resistor R_(F) 101 and is responsive to the feedback current. As shown in the depicted embodiment, current amplifier 126 is coupled to receive an input current that is the difference between feedback current I_(F) and a compensation current I_(H). The gain of the current amplifier is the ratio of an output current to an input current. In various embodiments, current amplifier 126 has a gain of greater than 1, less than 1 or equal to 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, control current I_(C) is generated at an output of current amplifier 126 in response to the feedback current I_(F) received at an input of current amplifier 126. The control current I_(C) is received at a control input 104 of energy source 103. In one embodiment, the control current I_(C) at control input 104 adjusts the generated current I_(G) from energy source 103 to reduce the change in voltage V_(O) at output 100 when the load impedance Z_(L) 102 changes over a range of values. In the depicted embodiment, the ratio of the change in generated current I_(G) to the change in control current I_(C) is the control gain K of the controlled energy source 103.

In operation, where there is a change in load impedance Z_(L) 102, then there will be a change in output current I_(O) to maintain the output voltage at its desired value. Where there is a change in output current I_(O), then there is a change in source current I_(G) from current source 103 to maintain the desired value of voltage V_(O) at output 105.

As shown in the depicted schematic, a compensation network 130 is also included in the voltage regulator embodiment of FIG. 1. In one embodiment, a compensation network is coupled between a ground terminal of the voltage regulator and an input terminal of the current amplifier 126. Without compensation network 130, if there were an undesired change in the reference voltage V_(REF) from voltage source 105, an undesired change in the voltage V_(O) at output 100 would result, even when there is no change in load impedance Z_(L) 102. A change in an extrinsic parameter such as for example temperature may cause an undesired change in the reference voltage V_(REF) from voltage source 105, or for example the value of feedback resistor R_(F) 101, or for example the parameter I_(MAX) of the controlled energy source 104, or for example the control gain K of the controlled energy source 104. Consequently, without compensation network 130, an undesired change in the voltage V_(O) at output 100 would result, even when there is no change in load impedance Z_(L) 102.

In one embodiment, compensation network 130 is coupled between the ground terminal of the voltage regulator and the current amplifier 126 as shown to adjust the control current I_(C) in response to extrinsic parameters of the voltage regulator circuit in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, compensation network 130 is adapted to produce a compensation current I_(H), which will affect amount of current input into current amplifier 126, which will adjust the control current I_(C) accordingly. In one embodiment, compensation current I_(H) changes value in response to extrinsic parameters to reduce undesirable changes to the voltage V_(O) at the output 100 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Therefore, one embodiment adjusts the control current I_(C) to maintain the output 100 of the voltage regulator at a desired value when variations in extrinsic parameters cause properties of components in the feedback circuit to change. In the illustrated embodiment, compensation network 130 provides a desired change or adjustment to control current I_(C) to compensate for a change in for example feedback current I_(F), which may result from an undesired change in the value of feedback resistor R_(F) 101 resulting from for example variations in temperature or other extrinsic parameters. Stated differently, compensation network 130 in one embodiment therefore changes or adjusts the gain of current amplifier 126 to provide the desired change in the control current I_(C) to compensate for the change in feedback current I_(F). In one embodiment, it could also be considered that the control gain K of the controlled energy source 103 is, in effect, adjusted with compensation current I_(H) in adjusting control current I_(C) response to extrinsic parameters to reduce undesirable changes to the voltage V_(O) at the output 100 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a voltage regulator with compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As illustrated, the voltage regulator embodiment of FIG. 2 is similar to the voltage regulator embodiment of FIG. 1. For example, an energy source 203 is coupled to output a generated current I_(G) in response to a control current I_(C). In one embodiment, energy source 203 is for example a controlled current source. An output voltage V_(O) is produced at an output 200 of the voltage regulator with respect to ground reference 206. The voltage V_(O) at the output 200 remains substantially unchanged when a load impedance Z_(L) 202 coupled to output 200 changes over a range of values. The difference in voltage between a voltage V_(O) at output 200 and a reference voltage V_(REF) from voltage source 205 is a feedback voltage V_(F) that appears across a feedback resistor R_(F) 201 to produce a feedback current I_(F) which is conducted by the feedback resistor R_(F) 201 in response to the voltage V_(O) at the output 200.

As shown in the depicted embodiment, a current amplifier 226 is coupled to the feedback resistor R_(F) 201 and receives feedback current IF. In one embodiment, the source of control current I_(C) is produced by an output of current amplifier 226 in response to the feedback current I_(F) received at an input of current amplifier 226. The control current I_(C) is received at a control input 204 of energy source 203. In the illustrated embodiment, the control current I_(C) at control input 204 adjusts the generated current I_(G) from energy source 203 to reduce the change in voltage V_(O) at output 200 when the load impedance Z_(L) 202 changes over a range of values.

In one embodiment, a compensation network 230 is also included and is coupled between a ground terminal of the voltage regulator and the current amplifier 226. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, compensation network 230 is coupled to an output terminal of current amplifier 226 to adjust the control current I_(C). Similar to FIG. 1, if there were, for example, a change in an extrinsic parameter of the system such as for example temperature, an undesired change in the reference voltage V_(REF) from voltage source 105, or for example the value of feedback resistor R_(F) 101, or for example the parameter I_(MAX) of the controlled energy source 104, or for example the control gain K of the controlled energy source 104 may result. Consequently, without compensation network 230, an undesired change in the voltage V_(O) at output 200 would result, even when there is no change in load impedance Z_(L) 202.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, compensation network 230 is coupled to the current amplifier 226 between the output of the current amplifier 226 and the input 204 of the energy source 203 to adjust the control current I_(C) in response to extrinsic parameters of the voltage regulator in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2, compensation network 230 is adapted to produce a compensation current I_(H), which will affect the amount of current at the output of current amplifier 226, which will adjust the control current I_(C) accordingly. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, compensation current I_(H) changes value in response to extrinsic parameters to reduce undesirable changes to the voltage V_(O) at the output 200 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, it could also be considered that the control gain K of the controlled energy source 203 is, in effect, adjusted with compensation current I_(H) adjusting control current I_(C) in response to extrinsic parameters to reduce undesirable changes to the voltage V_(O) at the output 200 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a voltage regulator shown with the increased detail of an included current amplifier with compensation that uses a feedback current to control an output voltage in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment shows that semiconductor components are utilized to produce the reference voltage V_(REF). Semiconductor components also perform the function of the current amplifier that couples feedback current I_(F) to the control input 304 of the controlled energy source 303. In one embodiment, the control input 304 of energy source 303 may represent a terminal of an integrated circuit that controls the operation of a power supply in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 also shares similarities with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the embodiment of voltage source 305 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a current amplifier 326, which is illustrated as including an optocoupler as shown. In one embodiment, the optocoupler of current amplifier 326 includes photodiode 325, which has a voltage drop V_(D) from its anode 321 to its cathode 327 when there is a photodiode current I_(D) from anode 321 to cathode 327. The cathode 327 of photodiode 325 is coupled to the cathode of Zener diode 328, which is also included in one embodiment of voltage source 305. The anode of Zener diode 328 is coupled to a ground reference 306 of the voltage regulator. In the illustrated embodiment, Zener diode 328 produces a voltage V_(Z) with respect to the ground reference 306 when there is a Zener current I_(Z). In one embodiment, the sum of the photodiode voltage V_(D) and the Zener voltage V_(Z) is the reference voltage V_(REF).

In one embodiment, the voltage V_(D) on the photodiode 325 and the voltage V_(Z) on the Zener diode 328 are affected by extrinsic parameters such as for example temperature. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, feedback resistor R_(F) 301 represents the resistance of a discrete resistor plus the internal resistance of the photodiode 305 and the Zener diode 308.

In the illustrated embodiment, the voltage source 305, which includes the optocoupler of current amplifier 326 has an input current I_(D) and an output current I_(E). The ratio of output current I_(E) to input current I_(D) is the current gain γ. In other embodiments, other devices or circuits can also be used for voltage source 305 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For example, other devices such as bipolar transistors can be adapted to provide the function of a current amplifier circuit in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. All such circuits will have an input current, an output current, and a current gain γ that is the ratio of the output current to the input current in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the optocoupler of current amplifier 326 also includes a phototransistor 323 as shown. The collector 322 of phototransistor 323 is coupled to a bias voltage V_(B). The emitter 324 of phototransistor 323 is coupled to the control input 304 of energy source 303. Feedback current I_(F) in feedback resistor R_(F) 301 is the same current as photodiode current I_(D) in photodiode 325. The optical coupling between photodiode 325 and phototransistor 323 produces an emitter current I_(E) at the emitter 324 of phototransistor 323. The ratio γ of emitter current I_(E) to photodiode current I_(D) is a property of the particular optocoupler that depends on many conditions that include magnitude of the photodiode current, temperature, and age of the optocoupler. In the illustrated embodiment, the control current I_(C) is the emitter current I_(E).

As also shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, a compensation network H 330 having a first terminal 331 and a second terminal 332 is coupled between the optocoupler of current amplifier 326 and ground 306 to produce a compensation current I_(H) to adjust the control current I_(C) in response to an extrinsic parameter of the voltage regulator. In the depicted embodiment, compensation network H 330 allows the feedback current I_(F) to be different from the photodiode current I_(D) that is the input to the current amplifier 305. Compensation current I_(H) changes value to reduce undesirable changes to the voltage V_(O) at the output 300 when there are undesirable changes to extrinsic parameters of the feedback circuit of the voltage regulator in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

A variety of embodiments may be employed when implementing compensation network H 300 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The various embodiments produce the desired compensation current I_(H) in response to the undesirable changes in extrinsic parameters that produce the undesirable changes in the feedback circuit. In various embodiments, compensation network H 300 is of substantially low cost and/or may operate with low values of reference voltage V_(REF), such as for example less than one volt. In one embodiment, output voltage V_(O) at the output 300 remains substantially constant over a range of conditions that include changes in temperature.

To illustrate, consider that the reference voltage V_(REF) has a value V_(REF1) at a temperature T₁ and a value V_(REF2) at a temperature T₂. The reference voltage V_(REF) will change by an amount ΔV_(REF) that is given by ΔV _(REF) =V _(REF2) −V _(REF1)  (Equation 1) For the output voltage V_(O) to remain unchanged at the two temperatures, the feedback voltage V_(F) changes from a value V_(F1) at temperature T₁ to a value V_(F2) at temperature T₂. The feedback voltage V_(F) changes by an amount ΔV_(F) that is given by ΔV _(F) =V _(F2) −V _(F1)  (Equation 2) Since the ΔV_(REF) and ΔV_(F) sum to zero for V_(O) to be unchanged, ΔV _(F) =−ΔV _(REF)  (Equation 3) The change in feedback voltage ΔV_(F) changes in the feedback current ΔI_(F), which is the difference between the feedback current I_(F2) at temperature T₂ and the feedback current I_(F1) at temperature T₁. ΔI _(F) =I _(F2) −I _(F1)  (Equation 4) Accordingly, the energy source 303 changes its current I_(G) by the same amount so that the current I_(O) in the load impedance Z_(L) 302 does not change.

In one embodiment, the changes to the currents are provided by the change in the compensation current I_(H) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The current I_(H) from compensation network 330 changes to keep the output voltage V_(O) the same value at temperatures T₁ and T₂. Therefore, compensation current I_(H) changes by the amount ΔI_(H) ΔI _(H) =I _(H2) −I _(H1)  (Equation 5) where I_(H2) is the compensation current I_(H) at temperature T₂ and I_(H1) is the compensation current I_(H) at temperature T₁. The change ΔI_(H) in compensation current is given by the expression

$\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\; I_{H}} = {\Delta\;{I_{F}\left( {1 + \frac{1}{K\gamma}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 6} \right) \end{matrix}$ where γ is the gain of the optocoupler, and K is the control gain of the controlled energy source 303.

In one embodiment, γ is equal to approximately 1 if the current amplifier includes a typical optocoupler. For other current amplifier embodiments, γ can take on values from very large to very small depending on the design in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The control gain K of the controlled energy source 303 can take on a range of values, depending on the design and the nature of the circuit. High values of the control gain K can justify simplifying approximations of the expressions presented in this disclosure. For example, Equation 6 shows that ΔI_(H) is approximately the same as ΔI_(F) when K is large.

In various embodiments, compensation network H may be employed according to a variety of techniques in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, compensation network H includes a thermistor or passive resistor. The thermistor exhibits varying resistance values based on extrinsic parameters as discussed above in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In another embodiment, the compensation network H includes for example a bipolar transistor.

To illustrate, FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a compensation network that compensates for variations in temperature in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In particular FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the compensation network H shown in FIGS. 1–3 that provides the compensation current I_(H) with the desired features of low cost and the ability to operate with low values of the reference voltage V_(REF). In the illustrated embodiment, compensation network H 400 of FIG. 4 has a first terminal 401 and a second terminal 402. A voltage V_(H) at the first terminal 401 with respect to the second terminal 402 produces a compensation current I_(H).

In one embodiment, compensation network 400 includes a transistor 410 and first, second and third resistors 411, 412 and 413. The first resistor 411 is coupled between the feedback resistor and a collector of the transistor 410. The second resistor 412 is coupled between the collector and the base of the transistor 410. The third resistor 413 is coupled between the base and an emitter of the transistor 410. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, transistor 410 is an NPN bipolar transistor. Resistor R1 411 is coupled from first terminal 401 of compensation network H 400 to the collector of transistor 410. Resistor R2 412 is coupled from the collector of transistor 410 to the base of transistor 410. Resistor R3 413 is coupled from the base of transistor 410 to the emitter of transistor 410. The emitter of transistor 410 is coupled to the second terminal 412 of network H 400.

The embodiment of network 400 in FIG. 4 allows a designer to exploit the behavior of the variation in the voltage V_(BE) between the base of transistor 410 and the emitter of transistor 410 to set the desired change Δ I_(H) in compensation current I_(H) under the influence of a voltage V_(H) at a first terminal 401 with respect to a second terminal 402. The compensation current I_(H) in FIG. 4 is given by the expression

$\begin{matrix} {I_{H} = \frac{V_{H} - {V_{BE}\left\lbrack {1 + {\frac{R_{2}}{R_{3}}\left( \frac{\beta}{\beta + 1} \right)}} \right\rbrack}}{R_{1} + \frac{R_{2}}{\beta + 1}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{11mu} 7} \right) \end{matrix}$ where β is the ratio of collector current to base current of the transistor 410. In one embodiment, the voltage V_(H) is sufficiently greater than the base to emitter voltage V_(BE) to allow proper operation of the transistor 410. In one embodiment, compensation network H 400 can operate satisfactorily when voltage V_(H) is less than typically one volt.

If the voltage V_(BE) from base to emitter of transistor 410 changes from a value V_(BE1) at temperature T₁ to a value V_(BE2) at a temperature T₂, then the change ΔV_(BE) is given by ΔV _(BE) =V _(BE2) −V _(BE1)  (Equation 8)

If the voltage V_(H) from terminal 401 with respect to terminal 402 changes from a value V_(H1) at temperature T₁ to a value V_(H2) at a temperature T₂, then the change ΔV_(H) is given by ΔV _(H) =V _(H2) −V _(H1)  (Equation 9)

The change in compensation current that corresponds to a change in V_(H) with a corresponding change in V_(BE) is given by the expression

$\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\; I_{H}} = \frac{{\Delta\; V_{H}} - {\Delta\;{V_{BE}\left\lbrack {1 + {\frac{R_{2}}{R_{3}}\left( \frac{\beta}{\beta + 1} \right)}} \right\rbrack}}}{R_{1} + \frac{R_{2}}{\beta + 1}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 10} \right) \end{matrix}$ In one embodiment, when the compensation circuit 400 in FIG. 4 is adapted to the compensation network H 330 in FIG. 3, the relationship to compensate for changes in the reference voltage V_(REF) when K and γ remain constant is

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{\Delta\; V_{REF}}{\Delta\; V_{BE}} = \frac{1 + {\frac{R_{2}}{R_{3}}\left( \frac{\beta}{\beta + 1} \right)}}{1 + {\frac{1}{R_{F}}\left( {R_{1} + \frac{R_{2}}{\beta + 1}} \right)\left( {1 + \frac{1}{K\gamma}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 11} \right. \end{matrix}$ Values are selected for resistors R₁, R₂, and R₃ in Equation 10 to achieve the desired change ΔI_(H) in compensation current I_(H) while reducing the dependence on the transistor parameter β. It is noted that the compensation network H 400 of FIG. 4 allows the designer to select components with characteristics to adjust the circuit to be substantially optimized for a design for a particular application.

Therefore, in one embodiment, with compensation network H 400, a simple circuit having few components is added in accordance with the teachings of the present invention to reduce the change in an output voltage or an output current between two extremes of temperature. In one embodiment, the compensation network H 400 uses the natural variation of the voltage on a junction of bipolar transistor 410 to produce a change in the control current I_(C) that compensates for a change in reference voltage V_(REF) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention, which includes the compensation network H 530 coupled to the output 524 of the current amplifier 526. One advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is that there is an additional degree of freedom in the design, namely the voltage V_(H) can be varied to control the compensation current I_(H) in response to undesirable changes in extrinsic parameters. With proper variation of V_(H), the compensation network H 530 could be a simple constant resistance in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

In an embodiment in which the compensation network H 530 is a passive resistor R_(H), the voltage V_(H) determines the required compensation current I_(H) for a given value of R_(H). When the network H 530 is a passive resistor, the required change ΔI_(H) in compensation current is provided by a change in V_(H), where V_(H) has a value V_(H1) at temperature T₁ and a value V_(H2) at temperature T₂. In one embodiment, voltage V_(H) at control input 504 can be adapted have a value that depends on temperature or other extrinsic parameter, particularly if the embodiment of controlled energy source 503 includes the design of an integrated circuit in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

In another embodiment, it is not necessary to change the value of V_(H) to obtain the desired change ΔI_(H). In particular, in one embodiment the compensation network H 530 can include a resistor that changes value in accordance with temperature, such as for example as a thermistor.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a change in feedback voltage ΔV_(F) causes a change in the feedback current ΔI_(F). The change in feedback current ΔI_(F) causes changes to the control current I_(C) and the emitter current I_(E) of the phototransistor 523. In one embodiment, the control current I_(C) is adjusted by the change in the compensation current I_(H) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. If the ratio γ of emitter current I_(E) to the photodiode current I_(D) of optocoupler 526 is the same at temperatures T₁ and T₂, then the current I_(H) from the network H in 530 changes to keep the output voltage V_(O) the same value at temperatures T₁ and T₂. The change ΔI_(H) in compensation current is given by the expression

$\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\; I_{H}} = {\Delta\;{I_{F}\left( {\gamma + \frac{1}{K}} \right)}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 12} \right) \end{matrix}$ where γ is the gain of the optocoupler 526, and K is the control gain of the controlled energy source 503.

In one embodiment, the compensation network 400 embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 may be employed to provide the compensation current I_(H) in the embodiment of FIG. 5. Accordingly, the relationship to compensate for changes in the reference voltage V_(REF) when V_(H), K, and γ remain constant is

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{\Delta\; V_{REF}}{\Delta\; V_{BE}} = {\left( \frac{R_{F}}{R_{1} + \frac{R_{2}}{\beta + 1}} \right)\left( \frac{1 + {\frac{R_{2}}{R_{3}}\left( \frac{\beta}{\beta + 1} \right)}}{\gamma + \frac{1}{K}} \right)}} & \left( {{Euquation}\mspace{14mu} 13} \right) \end{matrix}$

According to various embodiments, the compensation network H can contain a variety of passive and active components to provide the change in ΔI_(H) in compensation current under the influence of the voltage V_(H) when the compensation network H is coupled to either the input of the current amplifier or the output of the current amplifier in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

In other embodiments, it is not necessary to include a current amplifier in a regulator circuit to realize the benefits of the method and apparatus disclosed in this disclosure in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For example, elimination of the current amplifier in FIG. 5 by removal of the Zener diode 528 and by connection of the input 521 to the output 524 does not change the fundamental relationships between the parameters of interest. All the previous expressions remain valid with V_(REF) determined by the voltage V_(H), and with γ=1.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is no compensation network H. For example, in one embodiment, the circuit in FIG. 3 is adapted without compensation network H 330 to keep the voltage V_(O) at output 300 substantially unchanged when there is an undesirable change in the reference voltage V_(REF). To accomplish the corresponding change in I_(G), the control gain K of the controlled energy source 303 can be changed from a first value K₁ at temperature T₁ to a second value K₂ at temperature T₂. Also, the ratio γ of emitter current I_(E) to photodiode current I_(D) of the optocoupler 326 can change from a first value γ₁ at temperature T₁ to a second value γ₂ at temperature T₂. In such an embodiment, the relationship

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{I_{F2}}{I_{F1}} = \frac{{K_{1}\gamma_{1}} + 1}{{K_{2}\gamma_{2}} + 1}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 14} \right) \end{matrix}$ is maintained to keep output V_(O) substantially unchanged at temperature T₁ and T₂. In the embodiment, both K and γ may be adapted to compensate for changes in external parameters to substantially preserve the relationship of Equation 14.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention that utilizes the forward voltage V_(D) of the photodiode 625 of the optocoupler 626 as the reference voltage V_(REF) to regulate the voltage V_(SENSE) 600. In one embodiment, the current I_(REG) 607 may be considered to be the output current of a power supply, producing the voltage V_(SENSE) 600 with respect ground reference 606. Voltage V_(SENSE) 600 is also the voltage across current sensing resistor R_(SENSE) 602. The first terminal of network 660 in FIG. 6 is coupled to the anode 621 of photodiode 625. The anode 621 of photodiode 625 is also the input of the current amplifier, which includes optocoupler 626. The second terminal of network 660 in FIG. 6 is coupled to the ground reference 606. The forward voltage V_(D) of the photodiode 625 of the optocoupler 626 also serves as the reference voltage V_(REF) and the voltage V_(H) on the first terminal 661 of the network 660 with respect to the second terminal 662 of the network 660. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the forward voltage V_(D) is sufficiently greater than the base to emitter voltage V_(BE) of transistor 670 for proper operation of the transistor 670.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the current I_(REG) is substantially the same value at two temperatures that correspond to the change ΔV_(REF) and ΔV_(BE), all other parameters remaining constant, when the component values of the compensation network 660 are related by the expression in Equation 11.

Changes to other parameters in the circuit such as the gain γ of the current amplifier that is the optocoupler 626 and the control gain K of the controlled energy source 603 will alter the relationship required to cancel the variation in the output current I_(REG) 607. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, compensation network 660 may be employed to keep the output current I_(REG) 607 at substantially the same value at two temperatures.

When variations in K and γ are taken into account, the relationship to keep I_(REG) 607 substantially unchanged at two temperatures or at two sets of other extrinsic parameters is I _(F2)(1+K ₂γ₂)−I _(F1)(1+K ₁γ₁)=K ₂γ₂ I _(H2) −K ₁γ₁ I _(H1)  (Equation15) where for the circuit in FIG. 6

$\begin{matrix} {I_{F} = {\frac{V_{SENSE} - V_{D}}{R_{F}}\mspace{14mu}{and}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 16} \right) \\ {I_{H} = \frac{V_{D} - {V_{BE}\left\lbrack {1 + {\frac{R_{2}}{R_{3}}\left( \frac{\beta}{\beta + 1} \right)}} \right\rbrack}}{R_{1} + \frac{R_{2}}{\beta + 1}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{20mu} 17} \right) \end{matrix}$ With K, γ, V_(D) and V_(BE) at the two sets of extrinsic conditions, values for two of the three resistors R₁, R₂, and R₃ may be selected in the compensation network 660, and then Equation 15 may be solved to determine the value of the remaining resistor. The design of the compensation network 660 is greatly simplified in embodiments where the control gain K of the controlled energy source 603 and the gain γ of the current amplifier that is the optocoupler 626 remain constant, as shown by Equation 11.

Embodiments of the present invention described herein can be used to change a regulated quantity in a desired manner as a result of changes in extrinsic parameters. For example, although it is often the goal to keep a regulated quantity at substantially the same value, various embodiments of the present invention can also be employed to cause the regulated quantity to increase or decrease as the temperature changes if that is the desired behavior.

Various embodiments of the present invention may also be extended to act within the continuous range of extrinsic conditions between two the limits of two sets of extrinsic conditions. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6 the change in reference voltage V_(REF) is attributed to the natural variation with temperature of the forward voltage V_(D) of the photodiode 625. Since the characteristic of the base to emitter voltage V_(BE) of the transistor 670 is very similar to the characteristic of the forward voltage V_(D) of the photodiode 625, network 660 can provide substantially the desired compensation at all temperatures between T₁ and T₂ in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention included in a power supply in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, temperature compensation is provided for a regulated output current from the power supply. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply is a flyback converter that receives its energy from a source of voltage that is typically between 120 volts DC and 385 volts DC, those values being within the range of full wave rectified voltage from the standard universal AC power source. In one embodiment, the power supply uses an integrated circuit U1 707 that includes a high voltage power switch and essential control circuits, such as for example a LNK354P power supply controller integrated circuit of Power Integrations, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., to produce an output between terminals 701 and 702 that is typical for the operation and charging of batteries in electronic equipment. The output is a regulated voltage for loads substantially less than a maximum current. The output is a regulated current for voltages substantially less than a minimum voltage.

In operation, the DC voltage source is provided at the input. Elements R1, R2, R3, C1 and D1 are coupled to limit the voltage on integrated circuit 707. An energy transfer element T1 is coupled to receive the DC voltage. In the illustrated embodiment, integrated circuit U1 707 is coupled to a primary winding of the energy transfer element and is switched in response to an output of the power supply. A voltage appears at the secondary winding of the energy transfer element. Elements R4, C2, D2 and C3 perform filtering at the output. The components illustrated within the border 703 in FIG. 7 regulate the output voltage between terminals 701 and 702, and do not take part in the regulation of output current. The components within the border 703 in FIG. 7 can therefore be ignored in the description of this embodiment of the invention that provides temperature compensation for the regulation of output current.

In the depicted embodiment, the power supply regulates the output current between terminals 701 and 702 when the output voltage is substantially less than the regulated output voltage in the same way as the current I_(REG) 607 in FIG. 6 is regulated. Regulation of the output current in FIG. 7 is accomplished by regulation of the voltage V_(SENSE) that appears across current sensing resistor R13 705. Current sensing resistor R13 705 in FIG. 7 corresponds to resistor R_(SENSE) 602 in FIG. 6. A feedback current I_(F) is conducted by resistor R9 as shown. Resistor R9 706 in FIG. 7 corresponds to resistor R_(F) 601 in FIG. 6. Compensating network 700 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the compensating network 660 in FIG. 6. Compensating network 700 reduces the change in regulated current from changes in temperature according to the teaching of this invention. For the power supply in FIG. 7 that uses a typical optocoupler U2 and a typical transistor Q2, approximate values of the resistors in a practical application are 200 ohms for R9, 130 ohms for R10, 2500 ohms for R11, 5000 ohms for R12, and 2.4 ohms for R13.

In the foregoing detailed description, the methods and apparatuses of the present invention have been described with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention. The present specification and figures are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 

1. A regulator circuit, comprising: a current amplifier that produces an amplified current from an input current received at an input terminal having a reference voltage, wherein the input current is electrically isolated from the amplified current and wherein the input current is a difference between a feedback current and a compensation current, wherein the feedback current regulates an output voltage of the regulator circuit, wherein the output of the regulator circuit is responsive to a control current and wherein the control current includes the amplified current; and a compensation network coupled to the current amplifier, wherein the compensation network is coupled to adjust the compensation current in response to an extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit, the compensation network including a transistor and first, second and third resistors, the first resistor coupled between a feedback resistor and a collector of the transistor, the second resistor coupled between the collector and a base of the transistor, and the third resistor coupled between the base and an emitter of the transistor.
 2. The regulator circuit of claim 1 wherein the current amplifier includes an optocoupler having a photodiode and a phototransistor, wherein the photodiode is coupled to receive the input current and the phototransistor is coupled to generate the amplified current.
 3. The regulator circuit of claim 2 wherein the reference voltage of the regulator circuit comprises a voltage across the photodiode of the optocoupler.
 4. The regulator circuit of claim 3 wherein the reference voltage is a first reference voltage value in response to a first extrinsic parameter value and wherein the reference voltage is a second reference voltage value in response to a second extrinsic parameter value.
 5. The regulator circuit of claim 4 wherein the feedback current is responsive to an output voltage of the regulator circuit and to the reference voltage.
 6. The regulator circuit of claim 5 wherein the output voltage is substantially the same under the first and second extrinsic parameter values.
 7. The regulator circuit of claim 1 wherein the extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit includes at least one of temperature, ionizing radiation, or aging of the regulator circuit.
 8. A regulator circuit, comprising: an output responsive to a control current; a feedback current responsive to the output of the regulator circuit; a current amplifier that produces an amplified current from an input current received at an input terminal having a reference voltage, wherein the input current includes the feedback current, wherein the control current is a difference between the amplified current and a compensation current, wherein the current amplifier includes an optocoupler having a photodiode and a phototransistor, wherein the photodiode is coupled to receive the input current and the phototransistor is coupled to generate the amplified current; and a compensation network coupled to adjust the compensation current in response to an extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit, the compensation network including a transistor and first, second, and third resistors, the first resistor coupled between the output terminal of the current amplifier and a collector of the transistor, the second resistor coupled between the collector and the base of the transistor, and the third resistor coupled between the base and an emitter of the transistor.
 9. The regulator circuit of claim 8 wherein the extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit includes at least one of temperature, ionizing radiation, or aging of the regulator circuit.
 10. The regulator circuit of claim 8 wherein the reference voltage of the regulator circuit comprises a voltage across the photodiode of the optocoupler.
 11. The regulator circuit of claim 10 wherein the reference voltage is a first reference voltage value in response to a first extrinsic parameter value and wherein the reference voltage is a second reference voltage value in response to a second extrinsic parameter value.
 12. The regulator circuit of claim 10 wherein the feedback current is responsive to an output voltage of the regulator circuit and to the reference voltage.
 13. The regulator circuit of claim 12 wherein the output voltage is substantially the same under the first and second extrinsic parameter values.
 14. A regulator circuit, comprising: an output responsive to a control current; a feedback resistor coupled to the output, wherein a feedback current responsive to the output of the regulator circuit is directed through the feedback resistor; an optocoupler including a photodiode and a phototransistor, the photodiode coupled to receive an input current, wherein the input current is a difference between the feedback current and a compensation current, the phototransistor to generate an amplified current in response to the feedback current, wherein the control current includes the amplified current; and a compensation network directly coupled to an anode of the photodiode of the optocoupler, wherein the compensation current is generated by the compensation network, wherein the compensation network is coupled to adjust the compensation control current in response to an extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit, wherein the compensation network includes a transistor and first, second, and third resistors, the first resistor coupled to a node between a feedback resistor and a collector of the transistor, the second resistor coupled between a collector and a base of the transistor, and the third resistor coupled between a base and an emitter of the transistor.
 15. The regulator circuit of claim 14 wherein a reference voltage of the regulator circuit comprises a voltage across the photodiode of the optocoupler.
 16. The regulator circuit of claim 15 wherein the reference voltage is a first reference voltage value in response to a first extrinsic parameter value and wherein the reference voltage is a second reference voltage value in response to a second extrinsic parameter value.
 17. The regulator circuit of claim 16 wherein the feedback current is responsive to an output voltage of the regulator circuit and to the reference voltage.
 18. The regulator circuit of claim 17 wherein the output voltage is substantially the same under the first and second extrinsic parameter values.
 19. The regulator circuit of claim 14 wherein the extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit includes at least one of temperature, ionizing radiation, or aging of the regulator circuit. 